Hormonal stimulation as an aid to artificial insemination in Ambystoma mexicanum

A procedure has been developed for artificial insemination of Ambystoma mexicanum that involved hormonal stimulation of both male and female. Ovulation was induced by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and usually began 18–24 h after the injection. The male was injected with chorionic gonadotropin at the time the female was given FSH. At the time of ovulation, the male was placed with a "dummy" female and spermatophores were produced 10–20 min later. These spermatophores were collected and placed in amphibian culture medium at 4 °C. Sperm remained motile for up to 8 h. About 50% fertilization was obtained with sperm produced in this manner, compared with about 60% in natural inseminations.